Dua during Sujud for worldly matters – Shaykh Abdil-‘Azeez Aali Shaikh

Du`a’ during Sujud for worldly matters

Q: Is it permissible to supplicate during Sujud (prostration) for worldly matters?

A: The Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) for the praying person is to start Sujud with the Adhkar (invocations) reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Subhana Rabbiya Al-A`la (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High)” ten times as this is the perfect number of glorification. Scholars maintain that the less perfect number of glorification is three time, and what is sufficient is one time.

This is supported by the evidence reported by the Five Compilers of Hadith (Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa’y, and Ibn Majah) save Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) in the Hadith about his Salah (Prayer) with the Prophet (peace be upon him) at night, in which he said: I offered Salah along with the Prophet (peace be upon him). In his Ruku` (bowing), he would say: “Subhana Rabbiya Al-`Azhim (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great),” and in his Sujud, he would say: “Subhana Rabbiya Al-A`la.” It was reported on the authority of `Uqbah ibn `Amir that he said: When the Ayah (Qur’anic verse) Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High, was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Make it in your Sujud.”

The evidence that the perfect number of glorification is ten times is what was reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Al-Nasa’y from Sa`id ibn Jubayr on the authority of Anas that he said: After the Messenger’s (peace be upon him) passing away, I have not prayed behind anyone whose Salah is more similar to the Messenger’s Salah (peace be upon him) than this boy, meaning `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz. We estimated the number of the glorifications that he made during his Ruku` to be ten and in his Sujud also to be ten.

However, if – after that – a person adds a Du`a’ Ma’thur (supplication based on transmitted reports) or Adhkar prescribed in Sujud, this is good.

This includes saying:

“Subbuhun quddusun Rabbul-mala’ikati war-ruh (Glorified, Holy, Lord of the Angels and the Ruh (Gabriel)”,

“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika. Allahumma ighfir li (Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You, O Allah, forgive me)”,

“Allahumma ighfir li dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa-jillahu, wa-awwalahu wa-akhirahu, wa-`alaniyatahu wa-sirrahu (O Allah forgive me all my sins, slight and grave, first and last, open and secret thereof).”

It is permissible for people to ask their Lord for whatever they need, as asking Allah and humiliating oneself to Him is in conformity with the meaning of Al-Uluhiyyah (Allah’s Exclusive Right to be worshipped) and answering the seekers accords with the meaning of Al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Allah’s Lordship). Whenever a person perceives this, the light of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/monotheism) and Iman (faith/belief) will fill their hearts and they will resort to their Lord in all their worldly and religious affairs. In this case, a person is given glad tidings and should hope for the best.

Sujud is a position where Du`a’ (supplication) is more likely to be answered, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: As for Sujud, strive hard in Du`a’ therein because it is more likely that your Du`a’ will be answered.

Fatwas by His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah Al Al-Shaykh